WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE YOUR CHILD TO A PSYCHOLOGIST? - 7 Touchpoints.

1. When they have a mental health plan. This means their doctor has assessed them as needing assistance.
2. When there is a high risk of them developing a mental health difficulty - eg family history; past or ongoing trauma; questioning sexuality.
3. When they have a short-term problem that they could use some help sorting out. Eg transition from a new school, friendship difficulties.
4. When there is a noticeable change in their behaviour eg change in sleeping, eating, socialising behaviours. 
5. When they ask to. Your child or adolescent may seem fine on the outside, but if they are asking for help, trust that they need it.
6. When they require a cognitive, behavioural, social or emotional assessment. This may be recommended by the school, a paediatrician, GP, or through your own observations.
7. When they have had previous assessments. This allows for review and up to date recommendations and helps you with school advocacy.

Early intervention can make an enormous difference in children's lives. Anxiety and depression impact on functioning. They reduce cognitive flexibility, impair decision making, reduce attention and concentration, impact negatively on friendships, create loneliness.

Early intervention helps your child learn about the mind body connection; how thoughts and feelings are connected; and positive strategies for managing their anxiety and depressive symptoms.  It can give them tools for life.

Your child or adolescent may seem fine on the outside, but if they are asking for help, trust that they need it.

Therapy at a young age is playful, engaging, and practical. And depending on the situation, it can be very short term, a couple of sessions can make a difference.

Don't wait to see if they 'grow out' of it.

Contact Kim at Positive Young Minds on 0408533515 or email youngminds.psychology@gmail.com to book an appointment to discuss your child's needs.

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